TSB 18-029-03 - the dealer won't fix this

[gothboy]

[xx(]

Yeah, I feel like I am pounding my head against the wall trying to get my dealer to perform TSB 1802903 "Slight Engine Mis-Fire Above 5200 rpm".

They say they can't recreate the problem in the TSB, I say that's because it's INTERMITTENT, just like the bulletin says. But my main issue with them is the last line of the service bulletin that says that they are NOT required to recreate the problem, I just have to tell them about it and they'll do the warranty service. Is there no such thing as a warranty with Chrysler?

I've called the Chrysler home office 3 times and brought the car to two different dealers twice. All occasions I was refused the service. Does anyone know what else I can do before I go ahead and file a lawsuit against these hardheads? Here's a copy of the TSB, pay particular attention to the "DIAGNOSIS" paragraph:
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NUMBER: 18-029-03

GROUP: Vehicle Performance

DATE: August 8, 2003

SUBJECT:
Slight Engine Mis-Fire Above 5200 rpm

OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves replacing the Powertrain Control Module (PCM).

MODELS:

2003 (PT) Chrysler PT Cruiser
NOTE :This bulletin applies to vehicles built prior to January 22, 2003 (MDH 0122xx) equipped with a 2.4L Turbo engine and manual transmission or prior to March 18, 2003 (MDH 0318xx) for vehicles equipped with a 2.4L Turbo engine and automatic transmission.

SYMPTOM/CONDITION:

Vehicle operator may describe a random or slight engine mis-fire when operating vehicle above 5200 rpm. There will be no DTC logged in the PCM. If there are DTC's present additional diagnosis should be done to determine the problem. This condition is caused by a internal hardware issue in the PCM.

DIAGNOSIS:

The repair procedure should only be performed if the vehicle operator describes, or the technician experiences, any of the Symptom/Conditions.
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Alternately, if there are any good experiences with service departments in the Boston, MA area, let me know and I can bring the car elsewhere.

[Cal Cruzer]

I can only suggest trying ANOTHER dealer...what a pisser. I got lucky and the second dealer that I took it to did it for me without question. The first gave me the answer you got.

[PTGT_Boy]

Just a little off topic, I was wondering if you can just record your times going to service, and use the lemon law if a dealership refuses to work with a TSB after X amount of times.

In any case, look for other dealers that can honor a TSB, usually those are the dealers you want to deal with.

[gothboy]

You can certainly file a lemon law claim in a case like this, but I think they vary from state to state.

For example, a lemon law claim in Mass has to be filed within 1 year or 15,000 miles of purchase. You also have to have brought it in to them 3 times with no results.

I did look into it, but unfortunately I'm 2 years into this car and 25,000 miles. Something tells me they'd be a lot more likely to fix a computer problem if they knew they'd have to replace the entire car if they didn't fix it.

[JohnM]

Gothboy - That's frustrating and I can sympathize with you. In my opinion you've used up enough of your time and energy fighting with them, and it's not worth the mental anguish to sue or pursue it further. For about $350 you can solve the problem and gain about 20 useful horsepower that are sure to put you back in a good mood. I promise that stage 1 will put you in awe of the performance of the GT. You might even like Chrysler again.

[Mean Green]

Had the high rpm miss in my '03 GT before stage 1 and gapping the plugs at .040 cured it.

[bigtommy83]

I don't understand why they are being jerks about it, but I can see their point of view. They are not required to recreate the problem, but if they don't know what they are exactly looking for, then they cannot just through parts at it. They may also be on restiction for PCM's right now so they are trying to avoid replacing some. There is also a common problem with plugs and wires. They don't want to throw something in...have it not fix it...then have you come back again saying they didn't fix it. If they keep doing that, it is lemon law. If they don't fix anything, then you cannot technically claim the lemon law.

[DTs_PTGT]

I went crazy getting my dealer to fix this TSB. Talk about 8 hours of hell, calling the dealer, calling Chrysler, calling another dealer that actually understood the TSB, etc.

Long story short, the PCM is a "red flag" part, and replacement has to be authorized the dealer's district manager or whatever you'd call it in the auto world. The dealer cannot authorize warranty replacement all by themselves. Ask your dealer for their district manager's contact information and start moving up the chain of authority.

[gothboy]

Thanks, I intend on asking for the DM's info tomorrow when I bring the car to them for a third time. I figured I'd have to go to the DM/RM to get results. If I don't get satisfaction from the DM, I'm going to try some consumer watchdog groups next. I really hope it doesn't come to that and that it gets handled as the customer satisfaction issue that it is.

I know about the plug gapping to .040, some say it works, some say it doesn't. I'd rather have the source of the problem fixed by replacing the PCM according to the service bulletin. Perhaps widening the gap to .060 will make the misfire happen more frequently, at least to make it easier to show them that there is a problem, albeit intermittent?

I don't know anything about the Stage 1 kits, how would one of those solve the problem?

[gothboy]

Actually, nevermind about the Stage 1, I bought the car in Massachusetts, where emission laws are about the same as Cali, I have pollution control. Installing a Stage 1 on my vehicle is apparently illegal.

Don't you just love Commonwealth states?